Running Event FAQs
We deliver a year-round calendar of races for all abilities, including:
- Quayside 5 Series (all year round)
- Halloween 5 & 10 Miles (October)
- Exeter Santa Run (December fun run)
- Exeter Half Marathon & Riverside 5 Miles (February)
- Autumn Half Marathon & Autumn 5 Miles (September)
- Granite Way 10 & 20 Miles (March)
- Exeter Live Better Marathon & Community 5 Miles (May)
- Exeter 10K River Run (June)
All events support our charitable work in the community.
- All entries are made online via the booking links on our event pages.
- On-the-day entries are generally not available unless stated.
| We follow UK Athletics guidelines: | |
| Distance | Minimum Age |
| 2.5K Fun Run | No limit (under 11s must be accompanied) |
| 5K | 11+ |
| 5 Miles | 15+ |
| 10K | 15+ |
| 10 Miles | 15+ |
| Half Marathon | 17+ |
| 20 Miles | 18+ |
| Marathon | 18+ |
Entries are non-transferable and non-refundable. Contact Running@ecct.co.uk to discuss exceptional cases.
If cancelled, your entry will be transferred to a reserve date, or the following year’s event if that’s not possible. You can also request a transfer to another CCT event.
- Race numbers are posted around 2 weeks before your event.
- Final race instructions are emailed at least 1 week before.
- If you don’t receive your number, you can collect it from Race HQ on the day.
- Race HQ (location varies per event) opens about 90 minutes before the start. Arrive early to collect your number (if needed), warm up, and attend the runner’s safety briefing.
- Toilets (at Race HQ and sometimes on course)
- Changing areas
- Bag drop (items left at your own risk)
- Limited showers at some events
Yes — we provide parking guidance in each event’s race instructions, including recommended pay-and-display car parks. Public transport and ride sharing is also encouraged.
- Most races are mass starts with a shared start/finish line. Faster runners line up at the front.
- Some events have time limits (e.g., Marathon: 6 hours). Checkpoints may apply.
We strongly discourage in-ear headphones so you can hear marshal instructions and be aware of surroundings. Bone-conduction headphones are acceptable.
Yes, we can accommodate wheelchair athletes and visually impaired runners with guide runners — please contact us in advance.
All events are manually timed using Webscorer, with results usually published within 24 hours. The Exeter 10K River Run is the exception, using chip timing due to the fast-paced nature of the event and the high volume of runners finishing in quick succession.
- Trophies to the top 3 male and female runners in each event (except the Santa Run).
- Most Improved Awards: Free entry to the top 3 runners showing the greatest percentage improvement over the previous year’s event (must have run the same event before).
- Medals: Every finisher receives a medal.
- Finishers of the Marathon event are awarded with a T-shirt or running vest.
- No age category prizes are awarded for any events.
We have a full medical team including:
- Ambulances
- First aid stations
- An electric medical bike patrolling the course
- Radio contact with race control
Yes — bottled water is provided at the finish for short races and on-course for longer distances, we now serve water in paper cups to reduce plastic waste.
- Paper cups at water stations
- Clearly marked recycling bins (plastic bottles are repurposed via Exeter City Council)
- Encouraging reusable bottles and minimal littering
Yes — bottled water is provided at the finish for short races and on-course for longer distances, we now serve water in paper cups to reduce plastic waste.
Yes! You can:
- Enter on a charity place (pledge ranges from £50 to £300) — includes branded running top, fundraising pack, and training tips
- Set up a personal fundraising page (e.g., on JustGiving)
- Ask friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor your run
Funds raised help us deliver community sport, education, health, and wellbeing programmes.
Yes — there are great viewing points along our courses. Please follow marshal directions.
No — only at Race HQ. Bags are not transported during the race.
We publish maps on each event page, and a detailed course description is included in your race instructions.
For more details, email Running@ecct.co.uk or visit exetercct.org/running-events.
Absolutely anyone can take part in our Santa Run this, no matter your age, ability, or where you are! We’re determined to put the ‘Ho Ho Ho’ back into Christmas, and we’d like as many people as possible to join us this festive season, whether you run, jog or walk!
We’re suggesting runners either aim to take on our usual 2.5km Family Fun Run distance or challenge themselves to our 5km Race distance.
This isn’t a timed event so there’s no need to submit your time, but we’d love to see photos of you taking part.
We have a limited number of Santa suits available, which you can purchase by purchasing the relevant place when entering the event. All other runners will receive a Santa hat.
You can purchase a suit when booking your entry to the event. Festive clothing is optional but, is actively encouraged!
Runners at our Santa Run events have raised thousands of pounds for a variety of incredible causes. There is no requirement to fundraise if you take part in this event, but why not consider raising money for us or one of our charity partners?